Love is all around us–at least love for public health, that is! We’re nearing the end of 2018, and that means it’s time to look back at our department’s hard work with partners throughout the year for a healthier community. Peruse our (not exhaustive) list of achievements, but before you do, take a few moments […]

When you open your cabinet in your bathroom, what do you find? If you are like me, you might find expired sunscreen, an old bottle of bright orange nail polish, and more miniature hand sanitizer than you know what to do with. Along with my harmless clutter, I find medicines that I’m no longer using, […]

The investigation and public health response for the cluster of HIV cases in north Seattle among heterosexuals who use injection drugs continues. Most importantly, we have not identified any new cases of HIV transmission in the past week. We did determine that one case diagnosed in early 2018 is linked to the cluster. Therefore, the […]

We are launching a series of DON’T HANG ON TO MEDS comic strips as part of International Overdose Awareness Day, sharing reasons why it’s important to get rid of unused medications in the home, told from the perspectives of parents, grandparents, people who have experienced addiction, and healthcare providers. I worked with Seattle comics artist Tatiana […]

In the US, more people now die each year from drug overdoses than died at the peak of the AIDS epidemic, more than died during the entire Vietnam War. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years of age, and the epidemic cost the US an estimated $117 billion in 2017 alone. Here are some key findings from our report and my perspective on actions we need to take in order to see this epidemic come under control.